Just like any other sport MMA is also often surrounded by the constant debate regarding who is the GOAT. There are many names that come to the surface such as Jon Jones, Demetrius Johnson, Georges St Pierres, and Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, one name which is often overlooked is MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Perhaps this is because he never fought and tested himself for the biggest MMA promotion, UFC. One year after Fedor’s retirement, UFC president Dana White revealed that he offered Fedor Emelianenko an ‘ungodly’ amount of money to fight a WWE superstar.
Fedor Emelianenko has one of the most impressive MMA records in the sport. He has amassed over 40 wins in his professional career. What’s more, he has only lost 7 times during his entire career spanning over 23 years. Emelianenko began his career back in early 2000 against Martin Lazarov fighting for the Rings Russia promotion.
The Russian was born in Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast region of Russia. During his career, ‘The Last Emperor‘ fought for over four promotions. Most notably for Pride FC, Strikeforce, and Bellator at the end of his career. However, he was once offered to fight a UFC and WWE superstar for huge money.
Dana White revealed Fedor Emelianenko was offered to fight WWE superstar
Dana White sat down for an interview with GQ Sports back in 2022. During the interview, White was responding to stand-out fan questions. One of the questions was who would have won in a fight between Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko back in 2009 when they were in their prime.
White replied, “Obviously, I’m very biased when answering this question, but I’m going with Brock Lesnar. Brock wanted the fight. I tried to make the fight. We offered Fedor Emelianenko an ungodly amount of money and they didn’t want the fight, I don’t know what to tell you.“
Certainly, a fight between Lesnar and Emelianenko would have been nothing short of fireworks back then. If we consider how well Lesnar did when he first entered UFC, the fight would have definitely been a close encounter. However, there still would have been a chance to see both of them go head to head if Fedor chose to come back from retirement that is.
Emelianenko is happy being retired
‘The Last Emperor’ fought for Bellator in his last fight. It was at Bellator 290 against Ryan Bader in February 2023 which he last in the first round via TKO. After the fight, Emelinanenko decided that it was time to call quits on his career and he still stands by his decision. During the post-fight conference, he spoke about how he felt about his retirement.
Emelianenko said, “I feel great. He hit me a few times, but I didn’t lose consciousness. I felt everything. I’m getting older, my age [helped make my decision]. Plus all my injuries from the past, they start to remind me of them,” he added. “My body doesn’t feel the same way as it used to. The only thing [I’d do differently], I could have beat Ryan Bader, but it didn’t happen.“
He further went on to say that his last fight felt like a celebration of his career. Several noted MMA fighters were present in the audience to watch the legend bow out of the sport. Although the result might not have gone his way, it was a fitting end to a legend of the sport.
